The newsletter for arts organisations working in criminal justice | March 2014
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In this month's issue...
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Write to be Heard report launch
The Arts Alliance's creative writing programme 'Write to be Heard' aimed to encourage hard-to-reach offenders to engage with education and arts opportunities in prison. The project encompassed a national creative writing competition, a schedule of creative writing workshops and master-classes, and a series of programmes broadcast on National Prison Radio. Over 250 prisoners took part in the workshops, of which 82% said the workshop made them think differently about themselves. Hundreds more prisoners and ex-offenders took part by: entering the awards, contributing to radio shows, developing Virtual Campus content and benefitting from the creative radio shows broadcast across the prison estate. The resulting evaluation report explores the perspective of prisoners, participating arts organisations and competition entrants to highlight the links between creative writing and literacy, numeracy and desistance factors. The report shows impressive results and finds that creative workshops are a catalyst for change and can offer a pathway into engagement with more formal learning opportunities. The project was funded by a National Offender Management Services (NOMS) grant and was delivered in partnership with the Prison Radio Association, Geese Theatre Company and the Virtual Campus developed Meganexus. Click here to read the report, which has been co-written by the Institute of Education.
Books in prison
Clinks and Arts Alliance members have expressed concern this week about the books in prisons issue, which focuses on changes made in November 2013 to the 'Incentives and Earned Privileges' policy (PSI 30); restricting items that can be sent into prison by family members and charities. The PSI has an impact wider than books, relating to arts materials, musical instruments and access to pens and paper for writing letters. We know the government support and encourage related programmes of work, which enable innovative rehabilitation activity to take place and we very much hope this policy doesn't come to compromise this important work. Find out more about the issue and the Arts Alliance's position on it here.
The Arts Alliance in Arts Professional
We recently had an article published on the Arts Professional website which discussed the results of our recent research project; 'Re-Imagining Futures' (2013), and spoke about what's next for the arts and criminal justice sector. The article covered the recommendations for different groups made in the final research report and discussed the need for more longitudinal research. Click here to read the article.
Successful ESRC Seminar series now complete
From November 2012 - February 2014, the Arts Alliance supported a series of talks on arts, creativity and spirituality in Criminal Justice Systems. Each of the four seminars looked at a different element of carrying out creative work in prisons and community criminal justice settings: Practising Enrichment, Theorising Enrichment, Exhibiting and Celebrating Enrichment and Evaluating Enrichment. The seminars provided an opportunity for delegates to hear about projects in the UK and abroad, to ask for advice on how to run and evaluate successful projects, share good practice and discuss the impact that creative activity can have on participants, staff and institutions. The seminars were made possible by the Economic and Social Research Council knowledge exchange programme with sessions run by Dr Laura Caulfield, Charlotte Bilby and Rose Parkes. Thanks to everyone who attended. Resources will be available on our website.
From the Evidence Library...
The Women at the HeArt Evaluation Report explores the impact of using creative engagement with vulnerable women and their support staff over a two year period in the Thames Valley region. The report also looks at the success of the artist mentee strand of work and how the artists' non-judgemental approach allowed creativity to flourish and enabled the artists to connect with participants' needs rather than their problems. Click here to read the full report.
If you have anything you would like to share in the next newsletter, please email it to kate.davey@clinks.org by 10 April.
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Graeae and Circo Crescer e Viver present 'Belonging'
15 - 19 April 2014, 7.45pm | The Roundhouse, London | £15
This bittersweet aerial production, featuring hoops, trapeze and silks, brings together a group of international artists exploring the idea of belonging and delving into what connects and divides us as people. Co-directed by Jenny Sealey and Vinicius Daumas, this artistic collaboration between the UK's Graeae and Brazil's Circo Crescer e Viver features performers from the London 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony and a collection of Brazilian actors, musicians and dancers. Click here for more information.
Taking an Innovative Approach to Fundraising
24 April 2014 | Artsadmin, London | £150 + VAT
Need new ideas to generate income? With all arts organisations now required to fundraise for their survival, how will you stand out from the crowd? Join award-winning entrepreneur and fundraiser Michelle Wright for an intensive, inspirational and practical Cause4 workshop that advocates a fresh approach to developing a fundraising strategy. Click here for more information.
PLA Smart Rehabilitation conference
25 April 2014 | Milton Keynes | Free
This conference will follow on from the Prisoner Learning Alliance's report from December 2014, which set out a blueprint for improving prison education, policy and practice. It will explore how a more joined-up, outcome-focused and value-driven approach could lead to improvements. The event will provide an opportunity to learn and share examples of good practice through practitioner led workshops covering a wide range of themes including: hard to reach learners, effective induction, developing employability and joining up through the gate. Click here for more information.
Clean Break's 'Pests' explores mental health and social injustice
Until 3 May 2014 | Royal Court Theatre, London | £10 - £20
'Pests' is a play commissioned by Clean Break. Pink loves Rolly. Rolly loves Pink. And Pink loves getting bombed off her face. Sisters from the same nest. Both trapped in a tiny rotting world. Both cuffed to a past that refuses to release them. One wants out. The other needs her in. Trouble is that when you complete each other, you're nothing on your own. Developed during a series of residencies spent in women's prison, secure mental health and community settings, 'Pests' is a moving and at times funny play, exploring issues of mental health and social injustice. Click here for more information.
Prisoner Action Net: Innovative Approaches to Reduce Reoffending
15 May 2014, 10am - 4pm | London | £245 + VAT
This conference will bring together leading experts in the field and experienced front-line practitioners to address the question 'what makes a good prison?' The day will be beneficial for Governors, Heads of Learning and Skills, education staff, prison officers, probation staff and charities and voluntary organisations working in prisons. It will cover how leadership and management can reduce reoffending by fulfilling prisoners' aspirations and ambitions and how to support prisoners to be good partners and fathers while in prison and afterwards. It will look at rebuilding prisoners' and ex-offenders' identities, and how the Good Prison and the Conscience Compact can contribute to resettlement and winning Transforming Rehabilitation contracts. Click here for more information.
The Reader Organisation's National Conference 2014
15 May 2014, 9am - 4.30pm | British Library, London | £140
The Reader Organisation's fifth annual national conference will explore how their shared reading model uses literature to improve mental health, reduce social isolation and enhance quality of life. Confirmed speakers include Lord Melvyn Bragg, Baroness Estelle Morris, Dr Alice Sullivan Nick Benefield and Alan Howarth. Academic research into The Reader Organisation's projects has demonstrated statistically significant improvements in the mental health of those suffering mild to moderate depression, reduced agitation for those suffering with dementia, and improved emotional, social and educational wellbeing for women in prison. This conference will offer an opportunity for commissioners, practitioners and professionals from all sectors to examine the impact of shared reading on individuals, communities and organisations. Click here for more information.
Secondary analysis of qualitative data: An advanced training course
22 - 23 May 2014 | University of Essex | £120 - £345
This two day workshop is designed for qualitative researchers aiming to reuse secondary data in their own work. Through presentations and practical sessions, participants will learn about the key issues in secondary analysis, including: research ethics, methodological challenges, data context and sampling. Participants will also gain direct experience of accessing qualitative data from the UK Data Service collections using a bespoke IT workshop, and engage in other hands on sessions. Click here for more information.
Cultural Commissioning National Seminars
6 & 10 June 2014 | London & Doncaster | TBC
Join the Cultural Commissioning Programme as they bring together arts and cultural organisations and public service commissioners to: understand how the arts and cultural sector can deliver innovative and effective public services, explore good practice and foster mutually useful dialogue and relationships. This event is delivered in partnership with Arts Development UK and in association with the National Leisure & Culture Forum. Further details will be available soon. Click here for the Cultural Commissioning Programme website.
Human rights in prisons in the UK and Europe. What would the highest standards look like?
27 June 2014, 10am - 5pm | HMP Grendon | £10
The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies is one of eight partners in the European Prison Observatory; a project aiming to investigate and compare prison conditions, share better practice and promote respect for human rights in prison management across the European Union. This one day event will present information about better practice drawn together by our partners across Europe for debate and discussion by those who live, work and provide services to prisons in England and Wales. This is an opportunity for delegates to bring their own experience and expertise to bear on the development of better European human rights standards for those incarcerated across the Union. Click here for more information.
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Homeless theatre: how to engage hard-to-reach audiences
For over 20 years, Cardboard Citizens has been engaging with hard-to-reach audiences. Their main focus has been homeless and ex-homeless people, and those at risk of homelessness. Their most successful tool of engagement has been forum theatre, a technique created by Brazilian theatre director Augusto Boal, where actors or audience members can stop certain sections of a performance in which a character is being oppressed. The audience can then suggest different options or actions for the actors to carry out on stage in an effort to change the outcome of the story. Click here to read the Guardian article on Cardboard Citizens.
Space for innovation... in the NOMS Grants Programme
Over the last three years, NOMS has been funding a range of innovative services to explore voluntary sector-led approaches to reducing re-offending. This has supported projects on mentoring, creative writing in prisons, supporting care leavers, advocating for older people, and a range of other, small-scale interventions. NOMS has described this funding as providing the voluntary sector support to 'develop capability, knowledge and good practice and to deliver activity in areas which reflect the NOMS priorities.' The outcomes of these former grants, along with a desire to continue partnership work with the voluntary sector, have encouraged NOMS to re-run the grants programme. Click here to see Nathan Dick's blog on the subject.
Dance United are recruiting for their next project
The Dance United London Academy are now recruiting for their next project, with taster sessions on Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 May 2014. The first full day of the project will commence on Friday 16 May. The project runs Monday - Friday, 10am - 4pm, until Thursday 17 July 2014. The programme is suitable for learners aged 14 - 25 who can wholly commit themselves to the dates provided. During this period, Dance United will deliver a contemporary dance programme, working towards an OCNLR qualification at Level 1 or 2 in Progression. Apart from the exceptionally high quality contemporary dance training, the programme offers participants the opportunity to teach primary school children, develop their own choreography, and participate in numerous workshops and trips. If you are, or know of, a learner who could benefit from this programme, contact Jamie Friel or Kirsty Cherrett.
ArtWorks Navigator
ArtWorks Navigator is a strategic partnership between six national organisations; a-n, Artquest, Engage, Foundation for Community Dance, National Association of Writers in Education and Sound Sense. Between them, the partners reach 24,600 musicians, dancers, writers and visual artists who work in participatory settings. The partners are engaged in lively discussion about the development of a participatory artists' peer learning network and will eventually be sharing information about national occupational standards (NOS), codes of practice for artists and employers, research, professional development and routes to professional practice across art forms. Keep up to date with what's happening here.
Transforming Rehabilitation Legal Support Project
In February, the Ministry of Justice announced that Clinks had been awarded a grant to enable voluntary and community sector organisations and social enterprises to access information about the contracting process for Transforming Rehabilitation, including legal information and bespoke legal advice sessions. Clinks have set up a Helpline to provide information and advice on subcontracting under the Transforming Rehabilitation Programme and access to free legal advice for small and medium sized organisations. The Helpline is open 10am - 4pm Monday to Friday, but may run on a limited service until mid-June. It can be reached on 020 3637 0155 or by emailing TRHelpline@clinks.org. Click here for more information on Transforming Rehabilitation.
Prison fiction project
The publishing charity SPCK have commissioned a series of books specifically aimed at male prisoners with low literacy levels. The project has been trialled in seven prisons and had positive feedback from both prisoners and staff: "Most enjoyable - both had moral messages. Interesting content which appealed to our adult male learners" (staff at HMP Risley); "I found it an interesting and thought-provoking book" (prisoner at HMP Frankland). The charity now has funding to roll the scheme out nationally. Click here for more information on the project.
More in arts and criminal justice...
- Safe Ground is looking for an Office Manager (4 days a week, Wandsworth, London). Deadline 1 April 2014. Click here for more information.
- In the budget on 19 March, the Chancellor announced a new scheme for arts and cultural organisations to claim specific tax relief on production costs. This applies to both commercial and subsidised productions and will include theatre, ballet, dance and opera, musicals and other live performance. Click here for information.
- Last year, HMP Barlinnie held a Prison Arts Festival to showcase the benefits of creativity within prison. Click here to watch the video of the Taiko performance followed by speeches which took place in front of an invited audience.
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Scottish Justice Matters: arts and justice issue
The current issue of Scottish Justice Matters focuses on arts and justice. The issue includes contributions from Kirstin Anderson and Richard Sparks on evaluating arts programmes, plus articles on arts in prison and community justice settings. Other features include Kath Murray on stop and search research, Gail Wilson on the work of Up-2-US with vulnerable young women and David Orr and Mary Munro on the latest developments in restorative justice in Scotland. Click here for more information. Scottish Justice Matters also has a Pinterest board on arts and justice, which you can view here.
Offenders with dyslexia
'Releasing the potential of offenders with Dyslexia & related Specific Learning Difficulties' is a new guide for staff working with offenders in custody or the community. It conveys how these widespread conditions affect people in education, training and resettlement, together with some knowledge of which methodologies are most effective. It aims to enable staff and management to help this population tackle their difficulties, value their abilities and develop coping strategies, all of which lead to better chances of rehabilitation. Download the report here.
Can lead providers support organisations that don't engage in TR?
Ellie Cumbo, Clinks Policy Manager, has written a piece for Serco's Ethos journal that aims to examine how lead providers could support voluntary sector organisations as part of the new criminal justice landscape, especially those working in innovative ways or with the hardest-to-reach offenders. Ellie says: "...including the voluntary sector in delivering public service reform is not just about holistic services and community action. We can also offer exciting innovations that add significantly to the evidence base for what really works. However, piloting new ideas needs support, especially in the context of criminal justice reforms." She also asks how voluntary interventions can find their place in complex supply chains with new financial models. Read the article here.
Arts Council review of cultural value
Arts Council England has published an examination of the impact arts and culture has on the economy, health, wellbeing, society and education. The review highlights existing research into the benefits of the arts on health and education while also highlighting areas for further research. As a result of the review, the Arts Council has committed to establishing substantial research grants to cover those areas where there is a lack of data - for example, longitudinal studies of the health benefits of participation in arts and culture. Click here to read the report.
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This newsletter is written monthly by Kate Davey.
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